Tokyo

Previously a relatively hidden destination, Tokyo’s technological leaps and passion for everything new has made the rest of the world sit up and take notice. A city of smaller cities, Tokyo’s neighbourhoods are individual and unique in what each can offer, from cultural sights to vast shopping malls. Get ready for a whirlwind of modernity and tradition - this is Tokyo!

The City

Before you set your foot outside the hotel door, be aware of Tokyo’s complicated address system. Very few streets have names and instead are identified by numbers indicating building, block and area. 1-11-18, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku would therefore translate as the 18th building of the 11th block of the 1st area of Shibuya in Shibuya ward. Invest in a bilingual map of Tokyo and don’t hesitate to ask police for directions, as even the locals can get confused.

Once you have grasped the navigation system, Tokyo is a delight to get around. The metro is super efficient, the city is clean and people are courteous and friendly. Though addresses may be confusing, Tokyo is divided neatly into 23 wards, each with a certain distinctive characteristic. Visit Asakusa for old-town charm and temples, Ginza for shopping, Mecca and Akihabara for electronics galore. Blend old and new to get a taste of Tokyo’s great diversity.

Variety is Tokyo’s key. Few other world cities are as wonderfully idiosyncratic. International and local influences intertwine in cuisine, festivals, music, galleries, shopping and even accommodation. Bizarre and fast-moving, yet peaceful and intrinsically religious, Tokyo’s identity is above all, distinctly Japanese, despite existing as a world of its own.

Do & See

Whether you’re a techno buff or want to take in some more traditional Japanese sights and sounds, this city can offer it all. Visit splendid Shinto shrines or indulge in some shopping on Tokyo’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue. Here are the highlights:

Robot Restaurant

Meiji-jingu

Tsukiji Market

Tokyo National Museum

Kabuki-za

Sumo Wrestling

Senso-ji

Mori Art Museum

Edo-tokyo Museum

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Ueno Zoo

Tokyo Great Cycling Tour

Tokyo Disneyland

National Museum of Nature and Science

Rainbow Bridge

Dining

Boasting more than 300.000 restaurants, cafés and food stalls, the only problem when going for dinner in Tokyo, is too much choice. Japanese food is famous for its clean and fresh taste, but here you can really delve into the depths of this oriental cuisine. Sample the best sushi before moving on to more adventurous fare in an izakaya or yatai street stall.

High-end dining can be expensive but in restaurants such as the New York Grill, there is no doubt that you are paying for the very best in terms of cuisine and, in the former, spectacular views. Many of the more pricey venues offer great deals for lunch, so it is worth making the most of these culinary delights earlier in the day. Book ahead for most places, especially during the weekends and watch out for a particular eating etiquette. Sticking your chopsticks into your rice vertically is a funerary custom!

Tsukiji Market

Chinese Café Eight

Teshigotoya Seigetsu

New York Grill

Elio Locanda Italiana

Sushi Bun

Brasserie Aux Amis

Pizzakaya Roppongi

Toh-Ka-Lin

Nirvanam

Aronia de Takazawa

Burger Mania

Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511

Salsita Mexican Restaurant & Bar

Ise Sueyoshi

Cafés

Café culture is thriving in Tokyo, where novelties such as the manga craze have taken over many venues. In addition, the Japanese are caffeine fanatics and kissaten (coffee shops) have been set up on every corner to cater to this demand.

During the past decade, Tokyo has seen the emergence of the 24-hour manga kissaten which offer comic books, internet access and even a place to sleep for cartoon addicted night owls. Manga, literally translated as ’crazy drawings,’ total almost 40 percent of everything published in Japan. Magazines can amount to 5 or 6 hours of reading time each, which perhaps indicates the need for around the clock access in manga cafés.

GeraGera Manga Cafe

Cat Café Nekorobi

Zarigani Café

Dean & Deluca

Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience,

Bars & Nightlife

Most socialising done in Tokyo is away from home, hence the infinite number of venues that offer alcohol in the city, from the ubiquitous izakaya, to the more exclusive glitzy bars. The nightlife in Tokyo has something to offer everyone. Whether you’re looking for a hedonistic party, superclub sounds or chilled out beats it’s all here for the taking. Lounge about or dance the night away at Tokyo’s best clubs.

Robot Restaurant

New York Bar

Age-ha

The Room

Bullet’s

H2 International Bar

Odeon Tokyo

Lineclub Roppongi

Mogambo Tokyo

Geronimo Shot Bar

Shopping

Shopping in this city has become more of an art than a simple pleasure. If you’ve got cash to spend then this is the paradise of all shopping paradises. Shopping malls and department stores abound and specific areas are often devoted to certain wares to make life easier.

Roppongi is more than just hundreds of shops - it is a mini city of restaurants, clubs, cafés, cinemas, hotels and museums. It is where the expat crowd in particular, party, eat, drink, shop and hang out and is about as far from traditional Japan as is possible. Roppongi Hills, a mall comprising most of the above, is at the centre of this hive of activity and attracts a good percentage of Tokyo’s serious shoppers. Housing high street, boutique and designer brands, you can safely expect to find everything you’re looking for. .

If you want to avoid more mainstream bookstores and spend some time looking for some hidden literary treasures, Kanda is where to go. Browse among the second-hand shops that line Yasukuni Dori and you’re bound to stumble upon a few gems. Good Day Books is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous used English book store and you can spend hours here among the 40.000 second hand and new copies.

Roppongi Hills

Isetan Shinjuku Store

Ginza Mitsukoshi

Shibuya 109

Oriental Bazaar

Laox: Duty Free Flagship at Akihabara

Ginza

Harajuku

Aoyama

Akihabara

Kappabashi Dori

Essential Information

Narita Airport is accessible by the Narita Express Train (N'EX) which is the fastest way to get from the city centre to the airport. It takes approx. 60 minutes to Tokyo Station and 41 minutes to Ueno Station.Trains depart approx. every half hour. You may consider getting a N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket in the JR EAST Travel Service Centers and from JR Ticket Offices at Terminal 1 or 2.This ticket allows you to transfer to any other JR stations within Tokyo once. Narita Express Trains: www.jreast.co.jp

The Kesei Skyliner trains go from Narita to Ueno/Nippori station in approx. 45 minutes.
Skyliner: www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/ae_outline/index.php

For a cheaper choice, the Access Express goes to Higashi-Ginza station in approx. 65 minutes.
Access Express: www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/nrt_access/index.php

Limousine buses run regularly from Narite airport to key points in the city in approx. 75-125 minutes.
Limoushine Bus: www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/

Taxis are available for the 70 km journey but fares are astronomical.

Address: Narita Internation Airport, Tokyo

Website: www.narita-airport.jp/en

Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport is served by the Tokyo Monorail in approx. 20 minutes to Hamamatsucho Station leaving every 10 minutes almost around the clock. You may consider getting a 24/48/72 hours Welcome! Tokyo Subway Ticket to travel with Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway in the Keikyu Tourist Information Centre.

Tokyo has one of the most efficient train and subway systems in the world. Trains are clean and fast and all stations have signs in English.

The major train and subway systems are : East Japan Railway (JR), Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway. There are other railway companies. Each company has its own ticket. A variety of tickets and passes are on offer to make it easier than buying individual tickets for every trip. You can also consider getting a prepaid Suica Travel pass to travel on JR , subways, and buses. These can be purchased at JR ’Green Window’ areas or at ticket machines.
www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/types/pass/index.html
www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html?src=gnavi

The East Japan Railway (JR) is represented by green letters "JR" logo, offering the fastest service but in a higher price. It operated overland train lines are colour-coded, the most frequently used line in Tokyo municipality is the Yamanote line (green).

Tokyo Metro runs by a private company. The subway consists of 9 lines with the light blue letter "M" logo. Subways and trains operate from 5am-midnight.

Toei Subway operates 4 subway lines by the Bureau of Transportation with a green shape logo.

Buses in Tokyo are run by several different companies. It is less confusing to take the subway or train around the city, but bus routes are efficient. Nevertheless, few signs are in English which makes navigation difficult. Bus route guides in English are available at Toei subway stations and hotels.
www.tokyobus.or.jp

Cycling is one of the most common ways to get around in Tokyo, if you’re feeling energetic. Some hotels will hire out bikes, but most will have further information on where to hire elsewhere.

Taxi

Taxis are expensive but convenient in Tokyo. Weekend rates are even more expensive, as are rides between 11pm and 5am. Taxi stands are located in almost all busy areas and tipping is not expected.

Post

Post boxes are red in Tokyo and the slot on the left is for domestic mail, the right one for international. English script is acceptable when writing addresses and stamps can be purchased at convenience stores. Post offices are indicated by a red and white ’T’ and are located everywhere. Post office ATMs accept foreign bank cards. The fare for postcards in irregular shapes is different from the regular ones.

Pharmacy

Pharmacy in Japanese is "Yakkyoku". Generally, pharmacies are open from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and closed on Sundays, while drugstores are usually open 7days a week and sometimes 24/24.

One of the biggest and popular pharmacy chains is Matsumoto Kiyoshi. They have stores scattered around the whole island and offer original brands of drugs and medicines including cosmetics and beauty products. Other chains in Japan are: SunDrug, Sugi Drug Group and Tsuruha Drug.